Mini Blog Post #2

Visual representation can be strong medium for persuasion and dialogue; however, it does not come without its risks. Brouwer points out that “HIV/AIDS tattoos follow in a long line of strategies and methods by people with AIDS and AIDS activists to make AIDS and people with AIDS more visible (120).” However, by making visible the fact that one is HIV positive, they lose the “privacy and security that ‘invisibility’ often affords (Brouwer 128). Showing off one’s scars can be an intimidating thing to do and can often attract the scrutiny of hateful and bigoted voices. For many people, the benefits of “visibility” do not out weigh the benefits of “invisibility”.

This same concept can be applied to a variety of situations; however, I would like to focus on the NFL National Anthem protests. Over the past few years, many NFL athletes of all races, began a tradition of kneeling during the pre-game National Anthem to protest the unfair treatment of people of color in the United States. While different from physically tattooing one’s body, this type of protest (carried out on National Television) can certainly be considered self-stigmatization. To many Americans, the tradition of standing during the National Anthem is a sacred symbol of patriotism and support for US veterans and soldiers. The fact that it is such a controversial action, makes it that much more visible; it is now virtually impossible to get into a discussion about the National Anthem without at least remembering Athletes like Colin Kaepernick who took part in this protest and ended up sacrificing their passion. Kaepernick lost his position on the 49ers and was unable to get a contract with any other team, and therefore lost his ability to play. The protest attracted the attention of the President of the United States, who called for players to be cut if they knelt during the National Anthem. Finally, the NFL enacted a policy that required players to stand or the team would be fined. This, on top of all of the attention, anger, and resentment that was directed toward these players from more conservative football fans, certainly illustrates the risks that come with self-stigmatization. However, players like Jurrell Casey have committed to continue the protest despite push back. The NFL has since, frozen its policy on protest leaving players the freedom to kneel during anthem. While the push back from the NFL, White House, and fan-base may be strong, to many players, the perceived advantages of “visibility” outweigh the security of “invisibility”.